Dr. Kizza Besigye, a prominent four-time presidential candidate, finds himself at a pivotal moment as his faction within the Forum for Democratic Change , known as the Katonga Forum, navigates internal conflicts over their political strategy for the upcoming 2026 elections.
The split from Patrick Amuriat Oboi’s leadership has prompted Besigye and his team to undertake a nationwide tour to gather input from Ugandans, especially FDC members, about their future path.
Kira Municipality legislator Ibrahim Ssemujju Nganda recently disclosed that supporters are advocating for the formation of a new political party to contest in 2026.
“Our consultations have shown a strong preference for establishing a new political entity. We are considering officiallyannouncing our departure from FDC by 2025,” Ssemujju confirmed.
However, internal disagreements within the Katonga faction have surfaced, complicating the decision-making process.
The discord centers around various strategies, with some leaders advocating for acquiring an existing political party to expedite their readiness for elections, similar to Robert Kyagulanyi Ssentamu (Bobi Wine) in 2020.
“We need to act swiftly. Acquiring an established party is a practical solution to avoid the bureaucratic delays of registering a new one,” argued Ssemujju.
Contrarily, Mubrak Munyagwa Sserunga warned against this approach, citing the challenges Bobi Wine faced after acquiring a political entity from Moses Kibalama.
“We shouldavoid the pitfalls others have faced. Registering a new party, though time-consuming, ensures we maintain control and integrity,” Munyagwa insisted.
Adding to the complexity, Asinansi Nyakato proposed re-engaging with Amuriat’s leadership due to time constraints.
“Negotiating with Amuriat’s camp could be a pragmatic solution given the limited time for establishing a new party,” Nyakato suggested.
Tensions were exacerbated by the absence of Erias Lukwago, who has been sidelined due to health reasons. Lukwago has been advocating for negotiations with Bobi Wine’s National Unity Platform (NUP) to form a potential partnership.
“Aligning with NUP could provide a formidable opposition front for the 2026 elections,” Lukwago stated in previous discussions.
However, this idea met resistance from other faction members, who viewed it as politically unwise.In a further twist, Betty Nambooze is reportedly leading efforts to persuade Lukwago to join NUP, despite internal NUP dynamics that complicate his potential candidacy for Kampala Lord Mayor in 2026.
“We need to carefully consider our alliancesto maximize our political impact,”
Nambooze emphasized.Amid these strategic debates, allegations of financial impropriety during the 2021 elections have surfaced, with accusations against Amuriat and his Secretary General Nathan Nandala Mafabi of allegedly receiving funds from President Museveni.
These claims have deepened the rift within the FDC and added another layer of complexity to the faction’s future.
Efforts to reach key figures, including Ssemujju, Munyagwa, and Lukwago, for comments were unsuccessful.
The unfolding political landscape in Uganda highlights the intricate decision-making processes within opposition factions, where strategic alliances and internal power struggles will significantly influence the direction of political movements ahead of the 2026 elections.
As Dr. Besigye and his faction grapple with these challenges, the decisions made in the coming months will be crucial in shaping the opposition's approach to contesting and potentially reshaping Uganda's political arena.
